Endless-band propeller



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2. M. J. LARSEN.

ENDLESS BAND PROPELLER.

No. 278,027. Patented May 22,1883.

172 veni'ar N4 PEYERS. Pholo-Lilholnphm', Washington. D. c.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets'-Sheet 3.

M. J. LARSEN.

ENDLESS BAND PROPELLER. No. 278,027. Patented May 22,1883.

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,9 a m M/ 4 n4 PETERS Phowum m Washington. D;

UNITED "STATES PATENT OF ICE.

MARTIN J nnnsnn, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ENDLESS-BAND PROPE LLER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 278,027, dated May 22,1883.

Applicatibn filed January 21,1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known thatI, MARTIN J OHANNES LAR- sEN,a subject of the King of Norway, now residing at Chicago, in the countyof Cook and peller; and my invention consists in the construction of thepropeller-band so as to avoid a multitude ot'joints, and in certaindetails of construction hereinafter fully set forth.

In the drawings, Figure 1 isv a side view of a vessel showingmyimprovements. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section. Fig. 3 is anend view. Fig. 4. is a transverse section. Fig. 5 is a plan. Fig. 6 is aside view of avessel of slightly difi'erent construction. Fig. 'i is atransverse section of Fig. 6. Fig. Sis a longitudinal vertical sectionof Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a side view and part section of one of theantifriction-roller chains and bearings. Fig. 10 is a transverse sectionon the line 1 2, Fig. 9, enlarged. Fig. 11 is a plan of the chain, Fig.10. Fig. 12 is a side view, showing the mode of communicating motionfrom the engine to the propeller-b and. Figs. 13 and 14 aremodifications of Fig. 12. Fig. 15 is a plan of part of thedriving-chain. Fig. 16 is an enlarged section, showing a modification;Fig. 17, adetail.

My improved vessel consists, essentially, of a frame or body, acontinuous flexible band passing round said frame, and provided withflexible edge flanges or hands flexibly jointed to the body-and carryingbuckets or blades, and engines whereby the movement of the band aroundthe body is imparted. These parts may be differently constructed, as Iwill now describe.

As shown in the drawings, the body A is a tank nearly rectangular incross-section, with rounded ends and curved bottom and inclined sides an.r, haying side windows provided with side brackets carrying rudders K,and carrying suitable engines and boilers, the smoke .pipe or pipes B ofthe latter extending through the sides of the body and projectingupward. The band 0 consists of a central section, a, and side sections,11 I), each being a-continuous band of steel, copper, or other flexiblematerial, and the sections are united edge to edge, so as to normallylie in the same plane, by flexible strips, 0, ot'sprin gsteel, rubber,or other material, Fig. 16. The band encompasses the body A, as shown,and suitable friction'rollers are interposed, so that a movement of theband round the body may be imparted and maintained. The band lies flatupon the top of the body, all the sections in the same plane; but belowthe body the side sections are bent at an angle to the central section,a, forming inclined sides, which extend above the surface of the waterto an extent proportioned to their width and the displacement of thevessel. As the band turns upward from the bottom toward the ends, theside portions, b, are brought gradually into the same plane as thecentral portion. Blades f .are secured to the band transversely, and therapid movement of the band round the body while the vessel is floatingin the water causes the vessel to move longitudinally, the blades actingas the floats of an ordinary water-wheel, but more eft'ectiveinproportion as they remain longer in the water in a vertical position.

In place of using separate buckets bolted to the band, the latter, maybe made of corrugated metal, the corrugations of which both serve asbuckets and to impart such elasticity as will prevent binding.

Each section of the band may be made of i one piece of metal or ofplates secured together.

Any suitable anti-friction devices may be interposed between the bandand the body of the vessel. Those which I believe to be most effectiveconsist of rollers F, Fig. 10, turning oncross-axles q, carried byflexible or jointed bands or chains t 1., thus forming a chain, G, ofrollers, a suitable number of which chains are placed between the bandand the body of the vessel, the latter being provided with rails P, andband with bearing-pieces P, which serve as bearings for the rollers. Thechain of rollers is kept in place laterally by guiderollers g g, mountedto turn upon standards T, secured to the band, as shown in Figs. 9, 10,and 11.

To retain the edges of the section b in proper position,I slot thesections for the passage of rollers a, Fig. 16, turning on suitableaxles,

the bottom of the vessel, and rollers a), turning on pins projectingfrom brackets H, secured to the bottom of the vessel-body, extendbeneath the edges of the sections 1), as shown,

The band may be driven in different ways. I prefer to use a frictionalconnection between the band and the driving devices, as it will beattended with less risk of breakage. Thus chains of rolls G may extendround frames I, with rounded ends arranged above the central section ofthe band, so that thelatter will bear upward against said chains underthe pressure of the water. These chains are driven by bands or belts N,(sprocket-bands being preferable, as shown in Fig. 15,) which extendround said chains and round the drivingwheels w, which are operated bythe engines. These driving devices may be difi'erently arranged, asshown in the different figures.

Without limiting myself to the precise construction and arrangement ofthe parts-shown, I claim- 1. The combination, with the body ofa vessel,rounded at the ends, and having a bottom inclined at the sides, of aflexible band consisting of a central flat flexible section, a,

and two fiat flexible side sections, 1) b, hinged theretolongitudinally, with mechanism for driving said band round the vessel,substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of the body of the vessel and the flexible band,formed, asdescribed, of intermediate chains of rollers having theirbearings upon the vessel and band, and movin g independently of thelatter, substantially as specified.

3. The combination of the vessel, flexible band composed of parallelsections flexibly joined together, as set forth, and the rollers u and11, substantially as'specified.

4. The combination of the vessel-body, sectional band, constructed asspecified, and chains of rolls G,extending between the body and band andaround round-ended frames 1, and driving belts or chains N, passinground the said chains of rolls G, between the same and the band, andround driving-wheels 70, substantially as set forth.

.M. J. LARSEN. Witnesses:

HUGH PEoPLEs,

. FREDRIK CHRISTIAN HOLBERG ARENTZ.

